FOXBOROW, Massachusetts. Cornerback Malcolm Butler is returning home, agreeing to a two-year contract worth up to $9 million with the New England Patriots, his agent Derek Simpson told ESPN.
Butler spent the 2021 season on the reserve/retirement list after signing with the Arizona Cardinals and training with them throughout training camp and preseason. At the time, Cardinals defense coordinator Vance Joseph said “personal” matters led to Butler being listed.
On February 17, the Cardinals released Butler from the reserve/retirement list, allowing Butler to sign with any team and ultimately land him back in New England, where he began his NFL career in 2014 as an undrafted free agent from West Alabama. .
Butler, now 32, was the hero of the team’s 28–24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. His last-minute goal line interception is one of the most iconic moments in franchise and NFL history.
Then-Patriots linebacker coach Brian Flores called from the touchline to put Butler in play for the game: “Malcolm, go!” – is also a hallmark of New England sports lore.
Now it’s “Malcolm, go home!” – with Butler, who was one of several candidates to fill the void left by JC Jackson’s signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent.
Butler left the Patriots as a free agent after the 2017 season, signing a five-year, $61.25 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. His last game as a Patriot was notable as he did not play defensively in the team’s 41–33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII despite the team struggling to slow down quarterback Nick Foles and the Eagles’ high offense . .
Coach Bill Belichick never gave a detailed explanation as to why Butler, who battled illness in the days leading up to the Super Bowl and flew separately to the Super Bowl later, only played on special teams.
Butler spent three seasons in Tennessee, playing in 42 games (including the playoffs) and throwing a total of nine steals before moving to Arizona.